Step 1: INGREDIENTS

1 medium onion
2 ripe plum tomatoes ( preferably organic but hot house works as well)
1 carrot ( optional)
2 tablespoons of dried parsley
1 teaspoon of dried basil but fresh works even better
1 large bay leave
1 teaspoon of sugar (optional)
1 container of Pomi chopped tomatoes.... I use the soft pack tomatoes because the acid from the tomatoes has been shown to breakdown the lining (coating) of the inside of the can and is known to be carcinogenic...
1/2 tube of Italian tomatoe paste ( for the same reasons above, I do not use can tomato paste)
2 cups of water
a pinch of salt and pepper